Minneapolis Heart Institute Again Selected to Participate in Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN)

NIH-supported national network provides $63 million to support innovative stem cell therapy development for heart disease

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), a nationwide U.S. network funded by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has selected the Minneapolis Heart Institute® (MHI) as one of its seven U.S. centers of excellence. The network will receive $63 million from the NIH and NHLBI over the next seven years to help achieve its mission of driving public health advances in cardiovascular cell therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

MHI was integral to the success of the first CCTRN initiative—a series of clinical studies that took place over five years involving five sites using bone marrow stem cells in patients with heart disease, and in which nearly 50 percent of the patients were enrolled in Minnesota. As principal investigator, Timothy D. Henry, MD, director of research at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF), will be responsible for a network of Minnesota hospitals including the Minneapolis Heart Institute® at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, United Hospital in St. Paul, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

This extension of CCTRN already has three trials planned, including

  • An allogeneic mesenchymal cell for patients with advanced heart function requiring left ventricular assist device;
  • An enhanced autologous bone marrow cell for patients with claudication (leg pain while walking); and
  • A combination of a bone marrow cell and a novel cardiac derived cell for patients with heart failure.

“These trials will play a key role in identifying the benefits of cell therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease. The Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital has been a leader in cardiovascular cell therapy research with more than 300 patients treated for a variety of conditions including acute heart attack, heart failure, ischemic heart disease and peripheral arterial disease,” Henry said. “The first CCTRN was highly successful in achieving the NIH’s goal of promoting clinical research and has led to the expansion of the network to seven clinical centers for seven years.

Henry noted the remarkable progress in cell therapy over the past several years. Currently, there are several large Phase 3 trials, which if proven efficacious, will lead to cell therapy added to the armamentarium for treating patients with challenging cardiovascular diseases. The CCTRN in particular is critical to provide key insights into the preferred cell, and method of delivery to increase the chance of success.

The CCTRN was created to support the collaboration of physicians, researchers and support staff with expertise in innovative stem cell therapies and experience in leading clinical trials that evaluate leading edge treatments for heart disease.

“Stem cell therapy holds great promise for treating heart disease, and researchers involved in CCTRN are helping determine how these promising therapies might be most beneficial to patients,” said Sonia I. Skarlatos, PhD, NHBLI’s deputy director of the division of cardiovascular sciences and program director of CCTRN. “This new round of funding is an important step in helping to improve cardiovascular health.”

The CCTRN also includes the University of Miami, the University of Florida, Stanford University, Texas Heart Institute, Indiana University and University of Louisville.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly 900,000 lives each year and more lives than the next five leading causes of death combined. One in three Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease and associated costs are estimated at $432 billion in 2007.

Minneapolis Heart Institute®
Minneapolis Heart Institute® is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The Institute is recognized internationally as one of the world’s leading providers of heart and vascular care. The Institute’s programs, a number of which are conducted in conjunction with Abbott Northwestern Hospital, address the full range of heart and vascular health needs: prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is dedicated to creating a world without heart disease through groundbreaking clinical research and innovative education programs. MHIF’s mission is to promote and improve cardiovascular health, quality of life and longevity for all.



CONTACT:

Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Gloria O'Connell, 612-863-4801
[email protected]

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Minnesota

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Stem Cells  Health  Cardiology  Clinical Trials  Hospitals  Research  Science

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